February 2004

Registered Charity No. 326739

Dear Colleague,

1. Registration for BSID Annual Meeting 2004
   
   The final arrangements for the BSID annual meeting in the University of Sheffield are now in progress; - the local organisers are Dr Andrew Messenger and Pattie Birch. We have a number of exciting talks planned by various guest speakers during the BSID Skin Club Symposium, Educational Session, Key Note Lecture, British Photodermatology Group Guest Lecture, and Galderma Local Guest Speaker. These are listed in more detail here.
   
   Delegates can register for the annual meeting in Sheffield by completing the registration form, which can be downloaded here. Note that cheaper rates are available to those who register early before 16th February 2004. Late registration can be paid after this date until 16th March 2004. The forms should be completed and sent by post, accompanied by a cheque, to the BSID Secretariat at Southampton.
   
   It is worth noting that although the conference centre in the University of Sheffield is situated 10 minutes by foot from the Tapton Halls of Residence, the terrain between both buildings is quite hilly. Hopefully this will not be a problem for the majority of our members, but if people have special needs such that they would be unable to walk this distance, it is advisable for them to contact the BSID Secretariat in Southampton so that suitable arrangements can be made.
   
   Please also note that late-breaking abstracts will be accepted for poster presentation (as in previous years). The deadline for submission of late breaking abstracts is Friday 27th February 2004..
   
   
   
2. BSID Fellowship for Young Investigators
   
   Unfortunately, we have not received any applications for the BSID Fellowship for Young Investigators in the UK. Although the closing date for applicants was 8th December 2003, the Committee has agreed to extend the closing date until 16th March 2004 because of the lack of applications to date. Therefore I urge all suitable candidates to apply; for further details please look here.
   
   
   
3. Committee Membership
   
   I have now completed a 3 year term of office on the Committee (1 year as Chairman), but plan to stand for re-election at the Annual General Meeting in Sheffield. Professor John McGrath has decided to step down from the Committee after a 3 year term of office, and BSID members who wish to be considered for election to the Committee in April 2004 should inform the BSID secretariat in writing by 16th March 2004. We are very grateful to John for all his hard work and for his contribution to the Committee over the past 3 years (and for his “stand-up comic” appearance at last year’s BSID annual dinner).
   
   

Finally I look forward to seeing you all at the BSID annual meeting, Wednesday 14th to Friday 16th April, in the University of Sheffield.

Best wishes.

Yours sincerely,


Eugene Healy
Chairman